MicroPro 1000 vs Velodyne SPL-1000

CaligulaPolk

mak99 wrote: »

Well, I finally took some time this morning (well, yesterday morning now!) to compare the microPro 1000 (mP1k) and PSW505. Most of the listening was done with Eagle's Hotel California DVD-Audio via my Yamaha DVD-S2300MkII and Onkyo TX-SR805.

Both subs were connected into the LFE via the Onkyo's sub out, split @ the Onkyo's single sub connection with a cheapo RatShack cable. Both subs plugged into Panamax M5410 Pro with y-cable into high-current outlet (Onkyo uses other one). BJC subwoofer cables for both (505 cable ~one foot longer or so). Tests involved listening to only one sub on at a time via the back power switches. Subs calibrated to about the same dB (75-ish) via the Onkyo test tones. FYI, the mP1k volume ended up at 20 or 21 (out of 40), can't remember now.

Track 1 (Hotel California) and track 6 (Victim of Love) used for the great bass and kick drum. I had loved the way the 505 handled these tracks, so was curious how the mP1k would perform. At first I thought the mP1k did not seem to have the same "punch" as the 505, though there was slightly less "boom". With the mP1k, I could hear a bit more of the other instruments, such as keyboards and guitars, more clearly. I did turn the mP1k volume up two notches, which brought the "punch" up to closely match the 505, but with less "boom". The mP1k seemed to be able to dip down a wee bit lower too in frequency.

I then watched Casino Royale Blu-ray on two great scenes - the opening chase thru the construction site/embassy, and the finale with the home in Venice rumbling into the water. The mP1k (kept at same volume adjustment as above) seemed to just outdo the 505 enough to tell a difference, though it was a close finish. The mP1k was more the winner during the sinking home scene - definitely less "boom", more detail of other sounds.

I'll do more listening tests in the next few days - I rented Master and Commander and Cloverfield Blu-rays as I've read these two movies have some impressive (demanding?) bass passages. And as I have not seen either of these, makes it all the more worth while...

But I must be sold on the microPro - I already ordered a second one tonight for our main system! I didn't consider stacking two 505s at all, I think that would look worse than all speakers/video rack packed against the wall. I have enough room between each RTi70 and video rack that the microPro will not stand out too much at all. And I don't regret selling my second 505 that I had for a few weeks - I just didn't have the room for it... Note that the attached picture is a few months old, before the mP1k was added. It currently sits to the left of the rack. The second mP1k will go where the 505 currently resides.

I hope my mini-review helps! Now just gotta sell a mint condition, one-year new 505 to a fellow Polkie!

Please keep posting your results with pair of MP1k. I would love to read your review on pair. also let me know what you bthink of single mp1k with master & commander.

mak99

CaligulaPolk wrote: »

Please keep posting your results with pair of MP1k. I would love to read your review on pair. also let me know what you bthink of single mp1k with master & commander.

Will gladly post my thoughts! I should be able to A-B again early this week - have plans today for Super Bowl at a friends' house.

My second mP1k won't be here until end of week at the earliest. So this week will be running just a single mP1k against the 505. I'll also post results when I have the pair of microPros running - just need to read up on how to properly set up two subs using the Audyssey mike...

Mike Reeter

A very clean,good looking set-up you have there mak99

CaligulaPolk

mak99 wrote: »

Will gladly post my thoughts! I should be able to A-B again early this week - have plans today for Super Bowl at a friends' house.

My second mP1k won't be here until end of week at the earliest. So this week will be running just a single mP1k against the 505. I'll also post results when I have the pair of microPros running - just need to read up on how to properly set up two subs using the Audyssey mike...

any update yet?

mak99

CaligulaPolk wrote: »

any update yet?

Sorry - yes, just been busy!

Watching Master & Commander was just amazing! The low bass of the ship's cannons firing away were hard to describe - but here goes: good solid lows, no overpowering boominess, and felt it "just enough" in the chest. The battle scenes were quite loud with the Onkyo at volume -15 dB (+18 dB is max), but did not feel that the bass was overpowering all the other sound effects - cracking wood, exploding cannonballs, screaming people. This movie's battle scenes will easily become demo material when I want to show off the system...

BTW, this movie's review over at High Def Digest describes the audio quality exactly as I experienced it.

My second sub should be here next week, though I'll be out of town on biz for a few days, so hope to get it set up the following weekend. The subs will sit on either side of my eqpt rack, about equal distance from the sweet spot on the couch. After recalibrating the entire system, I'll gladly report back my thoughts on running dual-microPros.

Mike Reeter wrote: »

A very clean,good looking set-up you have there mak99

Thanks! I've built this up over the years, upgrading here and there. I've tried to keep the install clean so there are no distractions from the main event - watching movies! I'm actually switching out the silver posts of the rack to black ones to make that less noticeable. Yeah, I'm a bit anal sometimes... :rolleyes: